As Davidinct mentioned the standard ProMix has Mycorise included but you can also order it with Biofungicides for a little extra per bale ($1.45 from my supplier). Both of these additives have research support for reducing pathogen organisms and the biofungicide can even boost production due to the benefit of the root colinizing organisms. These are similar to a whole new line of commercial products like TC-22, Rootshield, etc. Either way this new technology in planting media makes good sense. The opposite, very risky alternative of using any unsterilized material can lead to a complete wipeout of your seedling crop in a few days from soilborn pathogens. I would never,ever attempt to start seeds in soil from the garden. Your time is too valuable to risk the crop loss.

If one reads the "hundreds of reports" - or a representative sample, as hundreds do not turn up if you search under those terms - one will discover that the ability to control damping off diseases with compost is irregular at best. Even the Cornell study - which addressed only the control of Pythium with vermicompost (not homemade or purchased yard waste compost) added this caveat: "However, it is important to note that composts suppressive to a single pathogen are often conducive to other pathogens (Bonanomi, Antignani et al. 2010), so there is no guarantee that these materials will suppress disease caused by other soil borne fungal or oomycete pathogens." And while compost is well known for its disease suppressing abilities in garden soil, the use of it in a seed starting mix to achieve the same results is still very much up for discussion. Other studies report that the quality and mix of ingredients and an assay to determine specifically what microbial agents are present and at work in the compost need to be considered when determining the effectiveness of compost in a seed starting mix to control damping off diseases. Since home gardeners have minimal control over exactly what is in their compost microbe-wise, just assuming any compost will have the same results is optimistic at best. And that doesn't address the other issues rampant with including compost to a seed starting mix, like creating an excessively moisture retentive medium. Overly wet soils are one of the primary factors in developing damping off problems in the first place. So 100% incorrect information??? Not even close! It helps to actually READ the reports. If making your own seed starting mix, it is far better to follow instructions for creating a lightweight, fast draining, sterilized mix than to experiment with what untreated compost may or may not contribute to the process. – Use sterile well drained soil mediums. Avoid wet or compacted soil. Raise seedlings in treated commercial growing compost. If home-produced compost is being used, steam-sterilize the compost to destroy pathogens. Soil mix has to be held at 140 deg. F for at least 30 minutes to ensure sterilization. -- If starting plants indoors, in cold frames, or in greenhouses, plant seeds in steam treated soil or pasteurized potting mix. You can purchase treated potting soil or prepare your own. Soil mix must be held at 140° F for at least 30 minutes. UCDavis IPM

media temp ... is usually more important than the media itself .. for germination ... and after that.. proper watering ... for proper root growth and after that.. light intensity ... for proper green growth ... and then.. i might think about the media as a variable ... ken ps: and i would sterilize my media before i started... regardless of what the bag states ... as well as all my pots/flats/tools/etc ... i use the baggie method in the micro for small batches ... and once got a turkey aluminum pan from the dollar store ... and covered it with foil .. and made a giant jiffy pop out of it.. lol .. i used the meat thermometer the first time... but i figured out.. that if properly dampened.. when steam escaped out a hole in the top ... i had gotten it warm enough .... never forget.. an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure ... http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/4DMG/Soil/sterile.htm

I know you can start cuttings in a variety of mediums and combination of mediums but I'd like something quick and easy and it seems like seed starting mix would be just the thing. I know a drawback would be the cost because seed starting mix is more expensive but since I do just a few cost isn't an issue. Quick and easy is what I'm looking for. I know I have to moisten the seed starting mix but that's true of everything. Thanks, Ginny